The police on Tuesday charged a 31-year-old man, Matthew Suppaam, before a Wuse Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja, for allegedly stealing eight million naira worth of goods belonging to a complainant.

The defendant, a resident of Kado Kuch, FCT, Abuja, is standing trial on a one-cout charge of stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Festus Ajayi, told the court that a complainant, Bakar Yelo, of Ogidi Road, Garki, reported the matter at the Mabushi police station on October 10.

He alleged that on the same day, the defendant invaded the complainant’s store, and stole a 15KVA lithium battery, four 10KVA Inverters as well as one charge controller.

According to the prosecutor, the stolen items are valued at eight million naira.

Mr Ajayi told the court that the defendant was eventually arrested following investigations.

The offence contravenes the provisions of section 289 of the Penal Code.

The Magistrate, Theresa Okwejie, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.

She held that the  surety must provide a valid means of identification and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The court also directed that the surety’s address be verified by the court’s registrar before the bail conditions are perfected.

She consequently adjourned the case until November 2 for trial.

(NAN)